Security Council Eases Flow of Economic Resources in Somalia Needed for ‘Timely

In order to facilitate what it called urgently needed humanitarian assistance in Somalia, the Security Council decided this morning to ease its assets freeze on the beleaguered Horn of Africa nation for 16 months.

Through the unanimous adoption of resolution 1972 (2011), the Council decided that the freeze, established by resolution 1844 (2008) shall not apply to “the payment of funds, other financial assets or economic resources” necessary for the timely delivery of that humanitarian assistance by “the United Nations, its specialized agencies or programmes, humanitarian organizations having observer status with the United Nations General Assembly that provide humanitarian assistance, or their implementing partners”.

The action was taken following reviews conducted by the Security Council on the effects of sanctions in Somalia, as well as the reports by the Humanitarian Aid Coordinator for Somalia dated 12 July and 23 November 2010, and 2 March 2011, according to the preambular portion of the text.

At the same time, the Council stressed the obligation of all States to comply fully with the arms embargo and travel ban imposed on individuals and entities that engaged in activities that threatened the peace and the political processes and obstructed humanitarian assistance, in addition to those that breached the weapons ban, which was put in place by resolution 733 of 1992 and amended by subsequent resolutions.

The meeting began at 10:08 a.m. and ended at 10:10 a.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 1972 (2011) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Reaffirming all its previous resolutions and statements of its President concerning the situation in Somalia, in particular resolution 733 (1992), which established an embargo on all delivery of weapons and military equipment to Somalia (hereinafter referred to as the “ Somalia arms embargo”), as elaborated and amended by subsequent relevant resolutions, as well as resolutions 1844 (2008) and 1916 (2010),

“Reaffirming its respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of Somalia,

“Condemning flows of weapons, ammunition supplies, and financial and technical assistance related to such supplies, to and through Somalia in violation of the arms embargo as a serious threat to peace and stability in Somalia,

“Reiterating its insistence that all States, in particular those in the region, should refrain from any action in contravention of the Somalia arms embargo and take all necessary steps to hold violators accountable,

“Calling upon all States to effectively implement the targeted measures imposed in resolution 1844 (2008),

“Underscoring the importance of upholding the principles of neutrality, impartiality, humanity and independence in the provision of humanitarian assistance,

“Noting the reviews conducted by the Security Council on the effects of the measures set out in paragraph 5 of resolution 1916, and noting the reports by the Humanitarian Aid Coordinator for Somalia dated 12 July 2010, 23 November 2010 and 2 March 2011,

“Determining that the situation in Somalia continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region,

“Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

“1. Stresses the obligation of all States to comply fully with the measures imposed by resolution 733 (1992) as elaborated and amended by subsequent relevant resolutions, and the measures imposed by resolution 1844 (2008);

“2. Reaffirms the obligation on all parties to promote and ensure compliance with international humanitarian law in Somalia;

“3. Underscores the importance of humanitarian aid operations, condemns any politicization of humanitarian assistance, or misuse or misappropriation, and calls upon Member States and the United Nations to take all feasible steps to mitigate these aforementioned practices in Somalia;

“4. Decides that for a period of 16 months from the date of this resolution, and without prejudice to humanitarian assistance programmes conducted elsewhere, the obligations imposed on Member States in paragraph 3 of resolution 1844 (2008) shall not apply to the payment of funds, other financial assets or economic resources necessary to ensure the timely delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance in Somalia, by the United Nations, its specialized agencies or programmes, humanitarian organizations having observer status with the United Nations General Assembly that provide humanitarian assistance, or their implementing partners;

“5. Requests the Emergency Relief Coordinator to report to the Security Council by 15 November 2011 and again by 15 July 2012 on the implementation of paragraphs 3 and 4 above, and on any impediments to the delivery of humanitarian assistance in Somalia, and requests relevant United Nations agencies and humanitarian organizations having observer status with the United Nations General Assembly that provide humanitarian assistance to assist the United Nations Humanitarian Aid Coordinator for Somalia in the preparation of such report by providing information relevant to paragraphs 3 and 4 above;

“6. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.”

* *** *

For information media • not an official record

For information media. Not an official record.

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